By Maggie Cassidy
A tip off the crossbar and a missed empty net capped off a two-game scoring drought Friday as the Huskies dropped their home opener to Harvard, 1-0.
“Those are opportunities we need to take advantage of, especially when we’re as unhealthy as we are,” said head coach Ed Matz, whose injury-stricken squad was missing several players including pre-season All-Colonial Athletic Association honoree Sofia Palmquist.
The lost chances came in the last 10 minutes of play as Northeastern dropped to 1-2 on the season while the Crimson improved to 1-1-1. Harvard keeper Lauren Mann got the better of junior defender Brenna Matthews’ shot that was heading in before the Huskies squandered the open net opportunity with a weak rolling shot.
Harvard’s Katherine Sheeleigh notched the game-winner in the 65th minute after a Northeastern defender miscalculated the amount of time she had to get to a loose ball. The mistake came after another Northeastern defender was hurt and substituted out – a sign that the Huskies’ injury woes aren’t over yet.
“It’s just one of those things,” Matz said. “It’s tough to keep absorbing those injuries.”
Despite the loss, Matz noted that keeper and senior captain Annie Petrofsky, who struggled to find her groove in the team’s opening weekend in Akron, Ohio, was stellar in the effort. Petrofsky continues to play without 2nd- or 3rd-string backups, but stepped up her game at Parsons Field.
“She made a couple of point-blank saves that were just remarkable and she did a great job of keeping us in the game and giving us the chance to win,” Matz said. “I think Annie decided that it was a home game, we had never lost on that field last year and we were very motivated for that game. … Annie just stepped up and became a great leader.”
Matz also said he was pleased with the team’s improvement coming out of the locker room after halftime. The Huskies were outshot 13-1 in the first half, but after switching from a 4-4-2 lineup to a 4-3-3 managed 10 on goal in the second.
“We did not have a good first half and we were back on our heels. We chased the ball around a bit defensively. Then we came out and switched things up in the second half and matched up against Harvard,” he said. “I was much more pleased that we were able to create some quality chances and I hope it carries on to Holy Cross.”
The Huskies, who need to increase their scoring opportunities to turn their season around, travel to Worcester tonight.
“I guess we’re working on confidence, which comes with a young team,” said senior captain Laura Johnson. “When you’re in front of the net, you got to know that you want the ball.”
Johnson said she was happy with her team’s progress, noting that practices have been more intense and energetic.
“Whenever you bring in a big freshmen class it’s always a big adjustment for the first couple weeks of the season,” she said. “The second half was more of our team’s style of play. Hopefully that continues and I’m sure it will.”
